 Balasaraswati was a popular dancer in India, who was born on 13th May 1918. She is known for her Bharatanatyam style of dancing and is a well known name not only in India but around the world.
Early Life of Balasaraswati Balasaraswati was the representative of seventh generation of classical matrilineal family of dancers and musicians. Papammal, her ancestor, was a dancer and musician patronized in the mid-eighteenth century by the court of Thanjavur. Vina Dhanammal (1867-1938), her grandmother, is considered by many to be the most influential musician of the early twentieth century. Her mother's was Jayammal (1890-1967) who was also a singer. Balasaraswati received tremendous support from her mother regarding her dance and music. Career of Balasaraswati In the year 1925 Balasaraswati made her dancing debut. She was the first to perform outside south India, when she performed in Kolkata in 1934. Some of the internationally acclaimed dancers like Shambhu Maharaj, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham made some encouraging statements about Balasaraswati. Recognition Received by Balasaraswati * President's Award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (1955) * Padma Vibushan from the Government of Indiafor distinguished national service (1977) Sangita Kalanidhi from the Madras Music Academy * South India's highest award for musicians (1973) * She was the only non-western dancer included in a compilation of the Dance Heritage Coalition, "America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures: The First 100" (2000). Death of Balasaraswati Balasaraswati died on 9th 1984. |
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